Final answer:
The WHO identifies various leading causes of death globally, with differences between high and low-income countries. Cancer, particularly lung cancer due to smoking, is a significant cause in high-income countries, while preventable infectious diseases are more prevalent in low-income countries.
Step-by-step explanation:
Top 10 Causes of Death According to WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides a comprehensive list of the leading global causes of death. However, specific details on the top ten are not provided in the reference. Nonetheless, we can discuss some of the major causes, including cancer, which is a particularly significant cause of mortality, especially in high-income countries.
In low-income countries, the main causes of death for children under five are pneumonia, diarrhea, congenital anomalies, complications from preterm birth, birth asphyxia/trauma, and malaria. These are largely preventable with adequate healthcare. Furthermore, cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with lung cancer being the most fatal, primarily due to smoking. Geographical patterns and behaviors play roles in the prevalence of various types of cancers. Additionally, the lack of healthcare providers in low-income countries contributes significantly to mortality rates. Finally, environmental factors like poor water quality and sanitation can lead to malnutrition and infectious diseases, heightening child mortality risks.
While the exact ranking and statistics are not cited in the reference, we can acknowledge that ischemic heart disease tends to be a leading cause of death in higher-income countries, while infectious diseases dominate in lower-income regions. Lifestyle choices such as smoking have a profound impact on health, being the leading preventable cause of death.